Australia Seeks to Bolster Defence with $100 Million Purchase of Javelin Missiles
Australia has expressed interest in acquiring over 350 Javelin FGM-148F missiles and associated equipment, under a proposed foreign military sale valued at approximately $100 million. The United States Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) informed Congress of the potential transaction on August 19.
The proposed deal encompasses the missiles, technical assistance from the U.S. government, repair and return services, logistics, and program support. The DSCA emphasized the sale’s alignment with U.S. foreign policy and national security goals, noting Australia’s critical role as a key ally in the Western Pacific.
According to the DSCA’s public statement, Australia’s strategic significance as a political and economic powerhouse in the region is crucial for maintaining peace and stability. The sale aims to bolster Australia’s self-defence capabilities, ensuring the country is well-prepared to address both current and future threats.
The statement also clarified that the Australian Army would seamlessly integrate the new equipment into its existing forces, without disrupting the regional military balance or affecting U.S. defence readiness.
The prime contractors for this potential sale are the Javelin Joint Venture, a collaboration between RTX Corporation and Lockheed Martin. The implementation of the sale is not expected to require any U.S. government or contractor personnel to be stationed in Australia.
In 2023, the Australian Defence Force successfully fired Javelin missiles from a War-fighter unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), marking just the second known instance of such a launch globally. The Special Operations Command of the Australian Defence Force showcased the Javelin system in a live-fire demonstration at Singleton Military Training Area in New South Wales in March 2023. The Cyborg Dynamics Engineering UGV system, equipped with the R400 remote weapon station developed by Electro Optic Systems, demonstrated the ability to accurately strike targets at maximum range with the Javelin missiles.
